Monthly Archives: February 2021

Articles, Education, Prayer, Prophecy, Teaching

Divine Delay or Divine Denial?

  Now What? – Part 01

This current season, indeed, the past year, has been unlike anything we have ever seen in our lives. You know the list: pandemic, lockdown, riots, recession, and a contested American election. What is less well known is that these circumstances have spawned global prayer in a manner unseen in years. That’s the good news.

 However, despite much prayer and prophecy, things seem to have turned out very differently than expected. As such, there are some confused and discouraged believers out there. What do the recent turn of events actually mean: 

Has God said, ‘No?’

Has God said, ‘Wait?’

Is there unconfessed sin that is holding back His answers?

Are we praying amiss?

‘Is it over’ or is there ‘more to come?’

Is revival tarrying or are we on the cusp?

My personal assessment is that God is pleased with the prayer impetus, has heard those prayers, and will answer everything in His own way and time. He is not dependent on any one individual, any one institution, and clearly is not bound to man-made timetables. Time is in His hands and as the Sovereign of the universe He is able to pick and choose the people, place, and date, to do His mighty work.

In response to these valid questions, here are a few other reflections to consider:

1.       PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER: If we are not getting the answers we seek, then what should we do? Keep praying! We are called to persevere in prayer, full-stop (Matthew 7:7). Sooner or later, we will reap the results of prayer if we persist and not give up (Galatians 6:9). As we pray, if there are sin issues or we are praying amiss, the Holy Spirit will make it known to you. Remember the promise that God rewards anyone and everyone who diligently seeks Him (Hebrews 11:6).

2.       PREVAILING PRAYER = PREVAILING BLESSING: To prevail means to be more powerful than the opposition. Even while you wait for God’s answer, your continued prayer will attract divine blessing, like a magnet. You shall prevail if you persist and never give up.

3.       OVERCOMER: The Book of Revelation gives superlative promises to all who persevere and overcome. ‘He that overcomes shall inherit all things … Revelation 21:7a. This season of waiting helps forge perseverance and overcoming power.

4.       KEEP STANDING: Since the stakes are high and giving up is not an option, then stand and keep standing (Ephesians 6:11, 13). This is made possible by being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (v. 10).

5.       TRUST GOD ALWAYS: This is one of the hallmarks of the life of faith. We are called to trust God at all times, with all our heart, and not let our reasoning minds undermine such trust (Proverbs 3:5-6). We are called to trust Him even when it does not make sense. A lifestyle of trust downloads strength in your heart (Isaiah 26:4; Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:11). There are amazing, superlative promises to the person who trusts God with a whole heart all of the time. One of these includes God will do all the heavy lifting for you.

6.       REVIVAL: If there is one solution that will cleanse our hearts, heal our land, reprogram out thinking, sanctify our actions, and set us on course towards a God-pleasing life, it’s revival. It means to ‘come alive again.’ How do we get revival? We diligently seek God for it. The classic verse on revival is 2 Chronicles 7:14. Early on, it became clear that all this global prayer either will spawn a near-future revival, or even is the result of an already emerging revival.

                             To be continued

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

The Coming King: Why Study the Book of Zechariah

 INTRODUCTION TO          ZECHARIAH

 A returnee from the Babylonian captivity, Zechariah teamed up with the mature prophet Haggai to encourage the Judeans to rebuild the God’s temple in Jerusalem. Its construction was halted and it took the prophets to restart it, both by word and action. Years later Zechariah continued his written prophecies focusing on Messiah Himself. To the disappointment of many, Messiah had not yet appeared. Zechariah gave insight on the conditions surrounding the coming King of kings and Lord of lords. Apart from Isaiah, no Old Testament prophetic book has more Messianic references than Zechariah. That’s why we call the Book of Zechariah ‘The Coming King.’

HEBREW NAME OF ZECHARIAH

Known in the original Hebrew as zekar-yah or ‘God remembers.’ Because God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He will also remember to bless their descendants, the children of Israel.

AUTHOR OF ZECHARIAH

The author of Zechariah is one of 29 people in Scripture who bear the same name. Born of priestly stock in the Babylonian exile, he returned to Judah (Nehemiah 11:4; 12:16) with Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel. His ministry was recorded in Ezra 5:1 and 6:14. He is a younger version of Haggai and also encouraged the rebuilding of the temple in 516 BC. Though some commentators say he is the same Zechariah who was martyred ‘between the temple and the altar’ (Matthew 23:35), the one murdered in II Chronicles 24:20-21 lived earlier.

PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN ZECHARIAH

Zechariah provides extensive and important portraits of Christ. Some of the most important ones are:

•    Christ the righteous branch (3:8);

•    Christ the coming king (9:9)

•    The angel of the Lord (3:1-2)

•    The stone with seven eyes (3:9)

•    King-Priest (6:13);

•    Lowly king (9:9-10; 13:7; Matthew 21:5; 26:31,56)

•    Battle bow (10:4);

•    Betrayed and rejected (11:12-13; Matthew 26:15; 27:9-10)

•    Good shepherd, sold for 30 pieces of silver (11:4-13)

•    Pierced and struck down (12:10; 13:7; Matthew 26:31,56; John 19:37);

•    Cleansing fountain (13:1);

•    Wounded in the house of friends (13:6);

•    Smitten, abandoned shepherd (13:7);

•    Restores Israel by His blood of the new covenant (9:11; Mark 14:24);

•    Coming in glory as judge & king (14:1-6; Matthew 24:30-31; Revelation 19:15);

•    King of Israel and the world (14:6-19; Revelation 11:15; 21:24-26; 22:1-5)

Kingdom of Christ

•    Over all the earth (14:9);

•    Plenty of rain (10:1);

•    Holy Spirit poured out on Israel (12:10);

•    Israel will finally see the One Whom they have pierced (12:10);

•    Geographic and topographic changes (14:4-5, 10-11);

•    Kingdom established on earth (14:9-15);

•    Jerusalem the capital of the world and centre of worship (14:16-17)

THEME OF THE BOOK OF ZECHARIAH

Prepare for the coming warrior-king, who will establish His kingdom over Israel and the nations.

KEY VERSES OF ZECHARIAH

Zechariah 8:3 (KJV): Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.

Zechariah 9:9 (NKJV): Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.

SUMMARY OF ZECHARIAH

In the first part of his prophecy (chapters 1-8), a young Zechariah exhorts the Judeans to rebuild the temple and return to the Lord. As they come close to God, He will come close to them (James 4:8). He offers eight visions of which the first five are comforting and the last three signify judgement. This is a constant with the Hebrew prophets: judgment and mercy, condemnation and consolation, cursing and blessing. God is giving us a choice (Deuteronomy 30:19)!

The second part (chapters 9-14) have a clear end-time context. This come as two oracles. The first oracle (9-11) speaks of Messiah and the salvation of Israel. Though His coming is announced, Messiah will clearly be rejected, wounded, and struck down.

The second oracle (12-14) speaks of Israel mourning for the One whom they have pierced (12:10). A fountain of cleansing will open up to David’s house (13:1). Jerusalem, Messiah’s capital, will become the centrepiece of international controversy and conflict. Messiah returns, wins the battle, makes a victory ascent on the Mount of Olives, and commences His worldwide reign. The nations will come visiting Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles (14:16).

OUTLINE OF ZECHARIAH

Part One: Prophecies regarding the rebuilding of the Temple (1:1-8:23)

I.        Introduction (1:1-6)

II.     Eight night visions (1:7-6:8)

A. Vision One: Horseman among the Myrtle Trees (1:7-17)

B. Vision Two: Four horns and four smiths/craftsmen (1:18-21)

C. Vision Three: Man and Measuring Line for Jerusalem (2:1-13)

D. Vision Four: Joshua the High Priest cleansed before the Lord (3:1-10)

E. Vision Five: Golden candlestick and two Olive Trees (4:1-14)

F. Vision Six: The Flying Scroll (5:1-4);

G. Vision Seven: The woman & ephod/basket (5:5-11);

H. Vision Eight: Four Chariots (6:1-8)

III.   Joshua Coronated as High Priest (6:9-15)

IV.  Four Messages (7:1-8:23)

A.     Fasting, obedience, and justice (7:1-7)

B.      Disobedience and judgment (7:8-14)

C.      Repentance and blessing of God’s people (8:1-17)

D.     Fasts led to restoration and feasts (8:18-23)

Part Two: Prophecies Regarding Israel and Coming Messiah (9:1-14:21)

V.    First Burden of the Lord (9:1-11:17)

A.   God intervenes (9:1-10)

B.    Coming King and Saviour (9:11-10:12)

C.    Messiah Rejected (11:1-17)

VI.  Second Burden of the Lord (12:1-14:21)

A.   Israel Mourns, Repents, and Converts (12:1-13:9)

B.    Messiah Crowned King of All the Earth (14:1-21)

Articles, Education, Prayer, Prophecy, Teaching

Higher Education: How to Survive and Thrive

 

 In fighting and winning the culture war(s), where civilisation itself is at stake, we need to know where are the frontlines and trenches. Without question, they include our schools, particularly higher education. Secular progressives have successfully target the educational system for decades and their dogma greatly affects the younger generation.

 

Are the western institutions of higher education really cauldrons of radical leftist ideologies? Many are. Do they eat conservative and Christian students alive? The answer: Yes and No. It is possible as a conservative and God-fearing student to do well in such a seemingly hostile environment (after all, didn’t the early church thrive in the first centuries of Roman persecution?)

This author is one example that very principle: a new Christian when he went to university, his faith and spiritual life grew dramatically while being in an academic environment which was indifferent, contrary, and at times, hostile to what he believed.

However, there is also the risk of a student from a Christian family, with a Christian upbringing, who becomes angry (and miserable) social justice warrior in a matter of weeks while attending post-secondary school. Family and church are put on the back burner.

How can we properly handle this prospect? Some things to bear in mind:

1.    Divine guidance: Every major decision you make should be bathed in prayer. You can do anything and go anywhere provided you are led by the Holy Spirit. Don’t choose a major or university merely because it is a ‘good idea.’ Pray, wait on the Lord, and make sure it is a ‘God-idea.’ Every other point mentioned below rests on this foundation;

 

2.    Reality: Secular progressivism is the prevailing philosophy in many western universities. This is can be found especially in courses labelled ‘studies’ (e.g. Native American Studies or African-American Studies or Gender Studies), in social sciences, and in humanities. Knowing this in advance is good for you; for when you understand a situation, you are half-way towards a solution (Proverbs 4:7);

 

3.    Find like-minded faculty and students: When you are in the minority, wisdom decrees that you find allies among the faculty and students who share much, if not all, of your worldview. Such alliances will prove useful during your studies, especially for support and note-sharing;

 

4.    Choose your battles carefully: Don’t be in the habit or looking for someone to argue with. Chances of changing their minds are slim and it just wastes time and energy. Only when you must contend with a progressive should you go out to battle. Also, if you find an honest progressive who is willing to listen to an opposing view – they are in the minority but worth the dialogue. As the saying goes, keep your gun powder dry for the battles that really matter;

 

5.    Self-control: This is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). There is something respectable, even noble, about a person who stays calm and in control, reasonable and respectful, even in the face of deliberate provocation.Proverbs 17:28: Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Once you lose your temper – you lose – even if you have the best argument. Tantrums are not a mark of authority nor maturity; frankly, they are the sign of a loser. You will have a better listening audience if you keep cool. So be prepared, and then calmly, firmly, and authoritatively state your case;

 

6.    Know where you stand: If you are unfairly treated because of your views, then know your rights. There are bodies in the university to which you can appeal or from which you can get arbitration. This can be the case when facing issues of religious freedom, freedom of speech, or academic integrity. This author recalls an A-average student who was failed in a subject by a progressivist professor who clearly disliked her views. Their excuse for the failure was vague, arbitrary, and subjective. The student learned that she had the right of appeal. So that right was exercised and the student passed with a high mark;

 

7.    Choose your major wisely: Some university majors are more susceptible to subjective bias than others. Economics, science, and even politics are more even-handed. There are professors who will teach their subjects objectively, regardless of their worldview – seek them out;

 

8.    Integrity: Those students who work and study with integrity will be respected, even if they are conservatives. Do the right thing: study hard, use the best sources, do quality work, show passion for what you believe and do. Remember that your minority status can be an asset, not a liability, because it can spur you on to try harder, think critically, and come up with great insights. While you might feel outnumbered, like a ‘Daniel in the lion’s den’ and a ‘babe in Babylon,’ you will come forth as gold.

 

9.    Pray without ceasing: People of faith have a very powerful weapon for fighting the culture war – it is called ‘prayer.’ The Biblical exhortation to ‘pray without ceasing’ (1 Thessalonians 5:17) takes on fresh meaning in light of what we have learned. It also gives an unprecedented perspective – the heavenly one (Ephesians 2:6; 6:12-13). For when you remember the overriding principle that the culture war is ultimately a spiritual war – and that our weapons must be equally spiritual – then prayer becomes mandatory, not just a nice option. The throne room of grace is open to you (Hebrews 4:16) so come in, pray without ceasing, and take heart that, ‘The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much — James 5:16. When prayer prevails, then people of goodwill on all sides become winners.

 

10. Discernment Off Campus: It is possible to face a heavy bombardment of indoctrination without putting your toe on a university campus or enrolment in distance education. The media, including social media, can work on your worldview from the comfort of your own home or smart phone. Reports of manipulated information persist – to what extent they are true is yet to be seen. In the meantime, if you are a Christian, practice Biblical discernment. Juxtaposition what you hear or read with the Word of God. Let Christ, through the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit, guide you into all truth — John 16:3.

 

— Taken and amplified from the book Today/Tomorrow: Understanding the Present; Ready for the Future.

Articles, Education, Prophecy, Teaching

The Ten Commandment Series: The Seventh Commandment Part 01

 

It is a horrible sin which is even despised by non-believers. Scandalous, sensuous, and representing the ultimate betrayal, it can destroy the party involved and the greater family. Its evil effects can torment for years. If you get a chance to talk to King David, ask him why this sin should be avoided at all costs: there are whole chapters in 2 Samuel that show the heart-wrenching effects over long-term. It is                                                                                 impossible to find anything good from it.

 This horrible sin is called ‘adultery’ and it has nothing to do with being an adult. Its prohibition is the subject of the seventh commandment: Thou shalt not commit adultery — Exodus 20:14

 As always in any proper study, one needs to define key terms. The word ‘adultery’ is used 40 times in the Bible, with 23 references in the New Testament alone. It means voluntary sexual intercourse by a married person with another person who is not their spouse. The latter may or may not be married themselves.

 A related term is ‘fornication,’ used 36 times in the Bible, 32 times in the New Testament. It is sexual intercourse between two people unmarried to each other or anyone else.

 The Book of Proverbs, written by a polygamous Solomon, makes it clear that adultery is foolish and deadly. In Proverbs 6:32-35:

 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

 The New Testament is just as strong in condemning adultery and fornication,[1] though we will learn more about this later.

 Adultery is considered a valid reason for divorce (though Christians should not race to the divorce courts if, God-forbid, it happens to them. Sometimes the ‘innocent party’ may not be so innocent after all. Or what is needed is grace and mercy in order to salvage the marriage – a worthy goal. Seek wise mature spiritual leadership: their advice and prayers may prove to be a Godsend).

 While the thrust of the seventh commandment is adultery, it can have a broader meaning[2] – from a New Testament view, it should be also seen as an invitation for moral purity. Violation of the seventh commandment was considered a capital crime in the Old Testament,[3] even an abomination, while legitimate cause for divorce in the New Testament (Matthew 19:9).

 We will explore Jesus’ attitude on the matter in the next article.

 Adultery is so horrible because, in part, it pollutes far beyond the couple and their ungodly liaison. There are three important victims in adultery. They include:

1.        The spouse: Obviously, adultery is a sin against a person’s spouse. Not only is it a violation of the marriage vows but it is a heinous betrayal of trust. Even if the adulterous affair was a one-night stand, it can take years, if ever, to rebuild that trust.

2.        The body: This is a New Testament concept because the believer’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. When immortality occurs, it is violating the Holy Spirit’s temple and sinning against the body and the concept that the ‘two’ become ‘one’ flesh. That’s why Paul commands Corinthian believers, who had a reputation of being soft on sin, to ‘flee from sexual immorality.

3.        God: Sexual sin is considered transgression against God Himself, and a misuse of the body wherein He dwells. Joseph, son of Jacob, was invited to commit adultery with the wife of his master, Potiphar. He was a well built, handsome, and anointed young man[4]and apparently seemed irresistible to Mrs. Potiphar, whose husband may have been aloof and/or away often. Joseph wasn’t going to forsake the glory of God and his divine dream of supreme leadership, just for a few illegitimate moments of fleeting sensuous pleasure. He wisely said, ‘No.’ Yet listen how he declined her invitation in Genesis 39:7-9 (ESV):

And after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (emphasis mine)

Even casual adultery, including a one-time incident, let alone serial adultery, can have serious and damaging life-long effects.[5]Just look at the second part of David’s reign from 2 Samuel 11 and onwards; it was adversely affected by his one-night stand with Bathsheba, followed by the premeditated murder of her husband Uriah the Hittite. When you weigh it all up, it is simply not worth it.

Adultery is not some virus in the air that one catches and then falls. It begins with pondering and persistent thoughts,’[6]that will be acted upon if and when opportunity presents itself. Even if there is no physical opportunity, the thoughts alone can be damaging enough.[7]Spiritual adultery is often the precursor of physical adultery.[8]

In our next article, we will explore the attitude of Jesus and the New Testament towards the sin of adultery. If you have been damaged by either divorce or adultery, there is hope. See you next month!

 TO BE CONTINUED


[1] (Galatians 5:19)

[2] Matthew 5:27-32; 1 Corinthians 6:13-20.

[3] Galatians 5:19

[4] Genesis 39:6

[5] 2 Samuel 11:1-17; 12:14; Jeremiah 23:10-11; 1 Corinthians 6:16-18

[6] Job 31:1,7

[7] Matthew 5:28

[8] Hosea 4:13-14